Packages



June 27, 1961 E. D. GILLAM 7 2,990,056

PACKAGES Filed Feb. 17. 1959 drard Q pllam/ ATTORNEY United States Patent 2,990,056 PACKAGES Edward 'D. Gillam, Comly-Gillmann Carton Corp., Gand Lycoming Sts., Penn Valley, Pa. Filed Feb. 17, 1959, Ser. No. 793,733 7 Claims. (Cl. 206-4513) This invention relates to packages and more particularly to packages for a plurality of articles 111 which one of the articles from the package is displayed in an improved manner.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a package which includes a tray or receptacle portion for the articles to be packaged and a hinged =hd or cover portion with which one of the articles in the package is engaged, and in which the lid or cover can be swung to and supported in an upright position with an article from the package carried thereby.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package having a hinged lid or cover portion which carries and supports one of the articles from the package so that upon movement of the lid or cover to upright position a live display of the article is provided on the lid or cover.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package having a hinged lid or cover movable to upright position carrying w'th it one of the articles from the package, the open space thereby resulting in aiding in merchandising by the suggestion to the purchaser that one of the articles has previously been purchased and removed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package of the character aforesaid in which simple but efiective structure is provided for holding the lid or cover in upright position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package of the character aforesaid which is made of a single piece of sheet material.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one form of blank for making the container forming part of the package of the present invention, the upper face of the blank being visible;

FIG. 2 is',a top planview of the package of the present invention in closed position and in an enclosing cover for shipping, part of the cover being broken away to show the lid or cover of the package in horizontal position;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the package in accordance with the invention with the lid or cover in elevated position for sales display; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 5-5 of FIG. 6.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, a blank for making the container forming part of the package is shown at B in FIG. 1, and is preferably constructed of a single sheet of material, such as paperboard, cardboard, or similar tough yet flexible material,

Patented June 27, 1961 The blank B is provided with predetermined creases,

slits, cutouts and shapes to provide the desired constituent portions, as hereinafter explained.

The constituent portions of the blank B preferably include a rectangular bottom wall panel 10 having a rectangular front tray panel 11 connected thereto along a transverse crease line 12.

The front tray panel 11, along the side, margins thereof, has top tray panel supporting flaps 13 connected thereto along longitudinal crease lines 14 aligned with the side margins 15 of the panel 10.

The panel 1 1, along the edge thereof opposite the crease line 12 has a rectangular top tray panel 16 connected thereto along a transverse crease line 17.

The tray panel 16 has rectangular tray side panels 18 connected thereto along crease lines 19 at the opposite sides thereof. The tray side panels 18 have tuck flaps 20 connected thereto along longitudinal crease lines 21. Locking slits 22 can be provided at the ends of the crease lines 21 for retaining the tuck flaps 20 in assembled position.

The top tray panel 16 can be provided with any preferred configuration in accordance with the articles A to be packaged, and to retain the articles A in spaced relation, if desired. As shown for purposes of illustration a plurality of spaced rows and columns of openings 25 are provided, of oval or elliptical shape to accommodate articles A of corresponding horizontal cross section in shape, the articles A illustrated being liquid containers of oval or elliptical horizontal cross section and having necks 26 and closures 27 of larger diameter than the necks '26 (see FIGS. 3, 4 and 5).

The top tray panel 16 has a rectangular rear wall panel 30 connected thereto along a transverse crease line 31 at the transverse margin opposite the crease line 17.

The panel 30 has a substantially rectangular cover or top flap 32 connected thereto along a transverse crease line 33, a central slot 34 being provided along the crease line 3-3 for purposes to be explained. The position of the crease line 33 is determined by the height of the articles A to be packaged.

If desired, a crease line 35 can be provided transversely on the panel 30 to permit forward bending therealong =111 assembled condition of the blank B and with the cover or top flap 32 horizontally and forwardly disposed.

The cover or top flap 32 has pivotally connected thereto along a transverse crease line 36, an article elevating flap 37, shown as of substantially trapezoidal shape, to which an article engaging flap 38, shown as circular and with a circular opening 39 is connected along a transverse crease line 40. The panel 32 has an end terminal edge 41.

The size and shape of the elevating flap 37, and the article engaging flap 38 are made appropriate to the size of the articles A packaged, and the size and shape of the opening 39 are made appropriate to those of the neck 26 and closure 27. V The opening 39 can be of a size to permit the insertion of the neck 26 therethrough with the closure 27 removed or of a size to permit the closure 27 to be squeezed therethrough.

The locations of the crease line 36 and the flaps 37 and 38, are determined by the location of a particular article A in the tray which is to be elevated for display, and as specifically shown these are positioned to operate with the forwardmost article to the right (FIGS. 4 and 5)."

The panel 10 has connected thereto along a transverse crease line 42, a lower rectangular cover supporting panel 43. The panel 43 has crease lines 44 aligned with the --tilt or bend it. The articles A in the -,or partially assembled condition.

side margins 15 of the panel 10 for connecting tray flaps 45, the remainder of the panel 43 being narrower than the rear wall panel 30 and the cover or top flap 32.

The height of the top tray panel 16 is determined by the dimensioning of the front tray panel 11 between the crease lines 12 and 17, of the tray side panels 18 between the crease lines 19 and 21, and of the top tray panel supporting flaps 13 and 45.

The panel 43 has an upper rectangular cover supporting panel 54 secured thereto along a transverse crease line 55 with a tongue 46 extending therefrom and bounded by a slit 47. The tongue 46 is adapted to engage in the slot 34 in assembled condition of the blank B and with the cover or top flap 32 in upright condition (see FIGS. 4 and The panel 54 has a securing flap 48 connected thereto along a transverse crease line 49. The flap 48 is secured tothe rear of the top flap 22 in any desired manner, such as by gluing, stapling or the like, and has a cutout 50 to avoid engagement with the flap 38. The panel 30 and the panel 43 are secured together immediately above the crease line 31, by gluing, stapling or the like, as at 51.

The blank B, folded along the crease line 12, and with the fiap 48 secured to the rear of the top flap 22 as previously stated, can be shipped in this partially assembled but fiat condition.

When the container is to be used the cover supporting panel 43 is bent upwardly along the crease line 42, the rear panel 30 being bent upwardly at the same time along the crease line 31. The top tray supporting flaps 13 and 45 are turned to supporting positions above the marginal edgs 15 and below the top tray panel 16, the tuck flaps 20 are bent along the crease lines 21 and the side tray flaps 18 are bent along the crease lines 19. The tuck flaps 20, upon insertion under the flaps 13 and 45 and above the bottom wall panel will be locked by engagement of the locking slits 22 with the flaps 13 and v45 and retain the tray portion in condition for insertion of the article A thereinto, and as shown into the openings .25 and resting on the bottom Wall 10.

The article A in the tray located for engagement with the article engaging flap 38 is engaged at the opening 39, the flaps 38 and 37 being bent along the crease lines 40 and 36.

The top or cover flap 32 and the upper cover supporting panel 54 are bent forwardly concurrently along the crease lines 33 and 45, the crease line 35 permitting forward bulging of the rear panel 30 to a limited extent. The article A which is engaged by the flap 38 is positioned in the tray so that the top or cover flap 32 is horizontally disposed and is spaced above and parallel to the tray panel 16.

The package can then be inserted by sliding into a cover C (see FIGS. 2 and 3) which is open only on one side, and the enclosed package is ready for shipping.

At the place of use, the cover C is removed and the top or cover panel 32 is swung to an upright position with the article A carried by the flaps 38 and 37 elevated and supported thereby. The tongue 46 is swung forwardly about its connection at the crease line 55 and inserted into the slot 34.

The top or cover panel 32, below the location of connection of the securing flap 48 is urged forwardly while the upper and lower supporting panels 54 and 43 are bowed rearwardly by the separating action of the tongue 46. The top or cover panel 32 is rigidly held in upright position so that the weight of the article A does not tray are available forselection and use.

It will be noted that a packagehas thus been provided v in which the container can readily be assembled from a blank B, the blank B being available in flat unassembled .Articles A can readily be positioned in the tray portion of the container to complete the package with one of the articles A secured to, carried by and elevated by the top or cover panel 32 upon elevation to upright position of the top or cover panel 32. The top or cover panel 32 can be readily locked in upright position and in upright position provides a panel for advertising messages addressed to prospective purchasers.

I claim:

1. A package made from a single piece of sheet material and having a horizontal bottom tray wall panel, vertical front and rear tray wall panels hingedly connected to said bottom wall panel, a horizontal top tray wall panel hingedly connected to said front wall panel, said top tray wall panel having a plurality of article receiving portions, tray side wall panels closing the side spaces between said front and rear tray wall panels and between said bottom wall and said top tray wall panel, an upwardly extending panel member hingedly connected to the rear margin of said top tray wall panel, an additional panel member hingedly connected to said upwardly extending panel member, said additional panel member being swingable forwardly to a horizontal position above and parallel to said top tray wall panel and upwardly to an upright position for article display, a plurality of articles carried by said tray between said tray side wall panels, said additional panel member having an article engaging member hingedly connected thereto at locations between said tray side wall panels and engaging an article supported by said bottom tray wall panel, said additional panel member in upright position having said article supported thereon by said article engaging memher on the front face thereof, and an auxiliary supporting member for retaining said additional panel member in upright position.

2. A package as defined in claim 1 in which said auxiliary supporting member is hingedly connected to said tray and to the rear of said panel members, and interengaging portions are provided one of which is carried by said auxiliary supporting member for engagement with one of said panel members for locking said panel members in upright condition.

3. A package as defined is claim 1 in which said article engaging member includes an article elevating flap hingedly connected to said last panel member and an article engaging flap hingedly connected to said elevating flap.

4. A package as defined in claim 1 in which said auxiliary supporting member includes a rear supporting panel integral with and extending from said rear tray wall panel, and interengaging portions are provided on said auxiliary supporting member and on one of said panel members for locking said panel members in upright condition.

5. A package as defined in claim 1 in which said auxiliary supporting member includes a rear supporting panel integral with and extending from said rear tray wall panel, said rear supporting panel is connected at spaced locations to said upwardly extending panel member and to said additional panel member, and interengaging portions are provided intermediate the connected locations on said auxiliary supporting member and on one of said panel members for locking said panel members in upright condition.

6. A package made from sheet material and having a tray with a horizontal bottom tray wall panel, a rear tray wall panel and a horizontal top tray wall panel parallel to said bottom wall panel, said top tray wall panel having article receiving portions therein, an upwardly extending rear panel member extending upwardly above said top tray wall panel, a cover and display panel member hingedly connected to said upwardly extending panel member, said cover and display panel member being swingable forwardly to a horizontal position above and parallel to said top tray wall panel and upwardly to an upright position, a plurality of articles carried by said tray and supported by said bottom tray wall panel, said cover and display panel member having an article engaging member hingedly connected thereto and engaging an article in said tray, said additional panel member in upright position having said article supported thereon by said article engaging member on the front face thereof, and an auxiliary supporting member for retaining said cover and display panel member in upright position, said auxiliary supporting member including a rear supporting panel rigid with and extending fi'om said rear tray wall panel, and interengaging portions on said auxiliary supporting member and on one of said panel members for locking said panel members in upright condition.

7. A package made from sheet material and having a tray with a horizontal bottom tray wall panel, a rear tray wall panel and a horizontal top tray wall panel parallel to said bottom wall panel, said top tray wall panel having article receiving portions therein, an upwardly extending rear panel member extending upwardly above said top tray wall panel, a cover and display panel member hingedly connected to said upwardly extending panel member, said cover and display panel member being swingable forwardly to a horizontal position above and parallel to said top tray wall panel and upwardly to an upright position, a plurality of articles carried by said tray and supported by said bottom tray wall panel, said cover and display panel member having an article engaging member hingedly connected thereto and engaging an article in said tray, said cover and display panel member in upright position having said article supported thereon by said article engaging member on the front face thereof, and an auxiliary supporting member for retaining said additional panel member in upright position, said auxiliary supporting member including a rear supporting panel rigid with and extending from said rear tray wall panel, said rear supporting panel being connected at spaced locations respectively to said upwardly extending panel member and to said cover and display panel member, and interen-gaging portions are provided intermediate the connected locations on said auxiliary supporting member and on one of said panel members for locking said panel members in upright condition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,507,078 Mackie Sept. 2, 1924 1,564,250 Lambert Dec. 8, 1925 2,402,062 Magill June 11, 1946 2,616,558 Kay Nov. 4, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 265,465 Great Britain Feb. 10, 1927 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2390,056 June 2? 1961 Edward D, Gillam It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered pat-- ent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the headingto'the printed specification lines 3 and 4 for "Edward D, Gillam, Comly-Gillmann Carton Corp, V Gland Lycoming StS. q Penn Valley, Pa," read Edward Do Gillam, Penn Valley, Pa. Comly-Gillam Carton Corp, G and Lycoming 513e,, Philadelphia 24 Pa.)

Signed and sealed this 24th day of July 1962,

( SEAL) f r Attest:

ERNEST w SWIDER DAVID LAW Attesting Officer I Commissioner of Patents 

